About the Designer

I am a stay at home wife and mother trying to be best on both...one who loves adventures and challenges in life for that is how I learn, grow and
strengthen. A woman with a deep commitment to God,
family and church.

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This policy is valid from 12 October 2009 This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about this blog, please contact ceciliakenyon@yahoo.com. This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation. This blog abides by word of mouth marketing standards. We believe in honesty of relationship, opinion and identity. The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post will be clearly identified as paid or sponsored content. The owner(s) of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers' own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question. This blog does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest. To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Just like everyone I know, the hardest days of our marriage was the first year. The adjustment period was very difficult for me especially. Though we love each other so much and that we both have the same religious belief, Matt and I still have so many differences. As I mentioned on my last CC entry, I was super sensitive with everything he said and did. I cried a lot, too. I am glad those days are over! Those days thought me lessons in life I am forever grateful for.

I got pregnant in 2002 and was saddened by the unexpected death of our first child. Ruth died inside me (stillbirth) six and a half months after. We were both devastated. It took a long while before we accepted the fact that she was gone. I must admit, I still miss her. I still cry every time I think of her. And my eyes are teary right now as I write this part of my post.

My kidney started to fail after Jacob was borne. Eighteen months later, I have to go to dialysis for my kidney stopped working. My poor husband was burdened with stress at work and taking care of our one year old baby. He has to juggle his time between work, babysitting and taking care of me for I was always tired and no energy to do things around the house. Thank goodness, God was very mindful of us; He took care of us during those times. Eight months later (on dialysis) I was blessed with new kidneys. Two baby kidneys were transplanted in me. And so far, they are still doing their job and I am doing great.

In 2007, Matt got lay off from his job of seven years. It was the hardest time ever since we weren't prepare for it. We didn't have any choice but to sell the first house we purchased six months after our wedding. I was very emotional that time that I even cried. It was the stressful years in our lives. The good thing though is that, he was hired by a company that was based in VA. As soon as we sold our house, the company moved us and he and started working again. Exactly a year after our moved in VA, he was laid off again. The company the worked for closed and eventually filed for bankruptcy.

In June of 2008, Matt was rehired by Texas Instruments again through Volt; he worked temporarily and eventually became a regular Tier again six months later. With all the of these trials, God never left us. He was always there....guiding us, helping us and strengthening us. Whatever we are and we have right now, we owe it ALL to HIM! Trials and tribulations made my husband and I better persons....stronger and wiser than ever. And we thank God for those days because our faith and testimony of God's love and mercy were strengthened.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

For a year we lived in Virginia due to hubby's work. We did enjoy our stay there. We love the area, the school where my son attended Pre-K; and to think that we live in a small town yet, we are close to everything from school, shopping mall, groceries and everything. We still miss the place every once in awhile. We also miss our weekend visit with my brother in - law and his family in North Carolina, and the famous Virginia Beach in VA. Talking back North Carolina, my brother in-law got lay off from his job of 10 years and is now unemployed. He still gets unemployment benefits from the government, which I supposed enough to cover all their monthly expenses except health insurance. On this case, they should consider purchasing a NC short term health insurance. This would help them in case something happens and till he finds a permanent job. His wife's part time job could really pay the insurance and he doesn't have to worry paying the bill. It's been a year now, hope my brother in-law finds a descent job soon for he has family to support and or relies on him.

Yesterday was the longest day I have ever had. I woke up early, prepared my son for school, dropped him off and then headed to my annual medical exams at 7am. The traffic was heavy for no reason at all, and so we got to the hospital and registered (was 15 minutes late). As soon as I signed up forms and have my blood work done, we went to the 2nd floor where my mammogram, and bone density tests would be performed. An hour later, I proceeded to my other test which was the stress test. I got there at 11am; I didn't realized it would take 6 hours for the test to be completely done. I was so pissed off. The an hour and a half procedure end up to six hours. What a day! I was starving and and very thirsty for I wasn't supposed to eat from midnight till the tests were finished. I got to eat my first meal of the day at 6 in the evening. How did it happen? I have been to a stress test before but didn't remember that it took longer as it was yesterday. I pity the 1 year old baby boy who was there before us and finished he test the same time I finished mine. What a mess in the department. They need to fix this problem or many patients will gonna complain. I am glad it is all over; thank goodness these tests happen only once a year.

A friend of mine share this with me on Facebook. It is very nice and so I am sharing it with each one of you. Yes, to you, you and you :-)! So, better read this so you know what I am saying. Feel free to copy and paste it on you blog as well. Thanks for reading. And may thanks to Joy for sharing this with me.

Two friends were walking through the desert. At some point they had an argument, and one friend slapped the other in the face. The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything, wrote in the sand:

"TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE." They kept on walking until they found an oasis, where they decided to go for a swim. The one who had been slapped started to drown, but his friend saved him. After he recovered from the near drowning, he wrote on a stone:

"TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE." The one who had first slapped and later saved his friend said, "After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand and now, you write on a stone, why?" His friend replied: "When a friend hurts us we should write it down in sand where the winds of forgiveness can erase it away. But, when a friend does something good for us, we should engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it."﻿

Part of my husband's weight gain is water retention in his body. Yes, it isn't all the fats, but also water that made him big. We didn't realized it till he went to see our family physician. They did run series of tests and stuffs and the result was water in his body. And so, aside from advised to exercise and eat a healthy balanced diet, the doctor prescribed him a diuretic that would help him get rid of those excess water. Since we are into natural remedy and treatment, we thought of asking him if he could recommend something like natural diuretics, but didn't do it. We figured we can't find one online. Anyway, aside from diuretics, he needs to limit his salt/sodium intake for that contributes to water retention also. I remember I used to take diuretics, too at some point in time. It really helped a lot.

...that fireflies are able to flash their tiny lights because of special chemicals in their bodies. The reason for the light displays is to attract a mate and not just to light the way.

...that if your basement is too crowded with cardboard boxes, imagine having this one. The world's largest cardboard box made by students at the Aarhus Business College in Denmark is 11.5 meters wide x4.6 meters deep x2.3 meters tall. Big Box, Indeed!

...that chocolates lovers should know that when they eat their favorite treat, they also getting a fix of caffeine. One 1- ounce piece of chocolate milk contains approximately 6 milligrams of caffeine, while the same amount of dark chocolates has 20 milligrams. Treats to think about.

...that Canada is well known for the presence of big, furry, white mammal that lives in the country's northern regions - the polar bear. There are an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 of these carnivores hunting in the Arctic and sub- Arctic regions o this country. Yup, these bears are big and white.

On the way home the other night, we stopped by at my friend's house to pick some bitter gourd veggie. Hubby and I talked about not staying long for Jacob needs to be on bed by 8pm because he has school the next day. Oh well, we ended spending almost an hour because my son wants to play with his friend for a little while and hubby was tempted to eat dinner that my friend prepared for us. I didn't eat for I was stuffed from eating at Vietnamese restaurant. While there, my friend mentioned to me that she is trying to lose weight, but could really do it due to her busy life at work and at home with three children to take care of after work. She is considering taking a diet pill called hoodia. Speaking about hoodia, I heard that this pill is very safe, and effective. My friend made the right choice when she chose this diet pill to begin with her weight loss plan. To you Jules, good luck!

As I mentioned on my other blogs before, my son suffered from anxiety during the first two weeks attendance at school. My husband and I didn't know what to do for it was his first time to have school anxiety. He went through Pre-K and Kindergarten without any problem, but this school year, he did. He cries every morning before we go to school, was very lonely. The thing we worried much was him not being able to sleep at night. The result, he looked very tired and had dark circles under his eyes. I told him how if he doesn't try to sleep that dark circles will never go away. With a worried look in his eyes asked me this simple question: how to remove dark circles under eyes? I just simply said, don't be afraid and sleep early. He needs at least 10 to 11 hours every night. Then he said, okay Mommy, I will try. Finally, this week he was totally back to his old self again. A happy 6 year old boy, who loves school and learning. He now goes in his classroom without someone taking him there.

This is my new digital camera. Hubby bought it for me a couple of weeks ago at Costco. I really like it for it is very small and very light compared to the one we bought last year which is by the way broke when I accidentally dropped it on the floor during my son's field day.

I know I can't cry over spilled milk, but what can I do? It makes me feel bad and sad every time I think about it. It is new and not even a year old when I broke it. I wonder if my brother can fix it. He is good on fixing small appliances and gadgets like this one. I better ask him next time I talk to him.

This week's theme for Couples Corner reminds me of the first few years of being married to a my husband. I tell you it wasn't easy being married to a white guy; I have been super sensitive during those years. I get hurt easily with small things he says or do. Well, for one thing, we came from two different countries, different background, and culture, not to mention the language barrier. I sometimes misunderstood what he said and vice versa. And when I do, I just go to our bedroom and cries. He doesn't even know that he hurt my feelings and so he will keep asking questions till I talk. There was even a time that he got to frustrated and punched the wall that made his hand bleed. He couldn't get any answers from me because I don't want to say anything. Now, I say that I am as hard as a rock, I can take his joke without being hurt. In fact he is the one who is super sensitive now and couldn't even take a joke sometimes. So I always tell him to lighten up, and to not be all the time. On the other hand, he admires me for being a sensitive person when it comes to other people's feeling. He said I know just the right words to say on different circumstances without hurting their feelings. It must be a gift from God I supposed. Anyway, if he admires me for that trait, I admire him too for being very consistent when it comes to losing weight. He walks everyday for at least an hour, eat healthy foods and taking his vitamins. To help him speed up the weight loss, process, I better suggest that he take a diet pill. Since there are many companies that claim they have the best diet pills in the market today, he must choose which once fits his health and budget on top of being effective and safe diet pill.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

The other day, my husband had a doctor's appointment in Dallas. Since our place is at least 35 minutes away from where we live now, I told him to just drop me off at the mall for I don't want to wait long at the doctor's office. And so he did, for I don't want to waste my time doing nothing. While at the mall I looked for winter shoes like boots I can wear at church and one when I need to walk at the snow. I was very disappointed that I didn't find the one I like that suits my budget. I guessed I better buy the one I saw online. I did see some sweaters that I can wear when we go spend the new year at my in-laws this winter. We really need something that will warm us for it is always cold in there and snows a lot, too. And since I'll purchase boots online, I might as well buy sweaters for me, hubby and son online; that way I'll able to save and the shipping would be cheaper. Yup, we are all excited to spend time with my in-laws for we would also see my brother and sister in-laws and their families. This would be a great reunion, don't you think?

After four and a half years in college, next month is going be an exciting time for my niece who is about to finish her refresher class for accounting. She is a smart young woman who graduated an accounting course early this summer. We have the faith in her that she'll pass the board exam this fall. Right now she is in Manila waiting for the day of her exam and is living with my brother. I told her to relax and stop worrying about it. Good thing she took the accounting course for it is an in demand job both in the here and in the country where she lives. It would be nice if she would get a job abroad; for instance here in he U.S., there are many companies in need of accountants to help them. I, myself have seen many accounting jobs or positions on the classified ads everyday. This kind of job can give her job security as well as good salary. When she passes the board exam for accountants, then she would be able to land a good job that would help her earn more than enough to help her siblings with their college education.

Last night, I had this let over dish for dinner instead of the spaghetti. This dish is called "paksiw na Bangus" in Tagalog; a Filipino dish that made of milkfish, and bitter gourd wih some seasonings like salt and pepper, crushed garlic, thinly sliced ginger, and vinegar. This is very yummy and very healthy, not to mention that the bitter gourd is good for people who have diabetes and are anemic.

Hubby and son on he other ate spaghetti and meatballs. We had tapioca and chocolate pudding for dessert. Man, we were all stuffed!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

For a marriage to succeed, there must be trust, faith and loyalty between spouses. To me, these are the very foundations of the word "love." How can you say that you love your husband/wife if you do not trust him/her? If you trust your husband/wife that means you have faith in him/her. You will never doubt his abilities as the head of the family; and he would never ever doubt your abilities to care and tend to your children's need while he is away working so hard to bring bacon on the table.

There is no such thing as perfect couple and marriage; misunderstanding happens, wrong decision has been made, but know that these are part of married life. Matt and I are not exempted to these, but because of our trust, faith and loyalty with each other, our love for each other are intact. There is no checking of pockets, cellphone, emails or even sniffing clothes. No blaming or nagging. If you find yourself doing these things, that is a clear indication that trust, faith and loyalty are not there; therefore there is no love in your relationship....and that is something to think and worry about...time for both of you to work things out if you are to save your marriage.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Our wedding anniversary is fast approaching and hubby asked me what I would like get on that day. He meant the gift I would like to receive from him. I said, you know what want. And he said, yeah but which one.....either one I said (MacBook or DSLR). I know we can't afford either one of them. I told him that we need to save for it and that my laptop is still working. I just said, just dinner for two would be just fine. When the time comes that we have enough savings for it, we would purchase either one of them at buy.com. Anyway, while browsing at buy.com, I saw an Asus laptop that would be a great gift for my brother on Christmas. Buy.com also offers great deal on all laptops as well as televisions. And since hubby wanted to get a bigger television for our living room, I think he better take a look at the website, too. Indeed, you will find everything you can think of from electronic, gadgets, toys, jewelry and etc...they've got you covered. So wait no more, check buy.com now for more products they offer.

It's Couple's Corner once again; time flies so fast! Anyway, here is my share for this week's theme "we help and support each other." For a marriage to succeed, couple help each other to make the goal happens. There must be love, trust, understanding, compromise, devotion, and last but not the least, helping and supporting each other no matter what. As a stay at home mother and wife, my job is to take care of my family's need from cooking, cleaning the house, laundry, grocery shopping to a child sitter :-); aside from that, I am also a good listener, and sometimes a shock absorber when hubby needs one. He seeks my opinions and advices when he has problems at work and I love that. Having experienced being by himself to tend for our son's needs, hubby knew how hard my job is as a homemaker and so he helps with the shores during his days off. He makes breakfast, gives Jake a bath and walks him off to school. Yup, when he is off, he spoils me....I can stay on bed late and be lazy all day if I feel like it. He also supports me with whatever worthy goals I have and vice versa. Hubby is not a perfect husband and neither do I and so, part of helping each other is being a critic towards each other, that way, we know what to do and how to act and respond properly in public and private. It is comforting to know that aside from God, we are and we'll be there to help and support each other in all aspects of our lives be it emotional, intellectual, physical as well as spiritual.

Next week would be the annual cotton festival in the county when we live now. It is going to be a four day event of fun, games, rides, foods, music and shopping stuffs. We would like to go, but are having second thought for the ticket would cost us $150 for the three of us. We don't want to go there everyday for four days, and I think it is too much for just one day. And so, I suggested to my husband we could go to Taylor Swift concert instead. I have been meaning to see her perform anyway, plus Taylor Swift tickets are not that expensive and we can go buy the tickets online just like football, soccer and other ball game tickets. He said he would think about it for he is not a big fan of this artist. Oh well, I'll just keep my fingers cross :-).